Guided hike on Lopez Hill

Sunday, August 23rd, 1pm

Yes, it’s time again for the summer Keep Your Cool hike on Lopez Hill. Beat the heat while enjoying the cool greenery of Lopez Hill. This guided hike will meet at the parking area off Lopez Sound Road: directions to the trailhead. It’s guaranteed to be cooler than Lopez Village! We’ll probably break into two groups, one for fast walkers and one for ramblers. Please dress for the weather, wear appropriate shoes for hiking, and bring water. See you there!

Volunteer for the Great Islands Clean Up on Public Lands!
Saturday, April 18, 2015

Volunteers have a plethora of choices this year—check the list below and see what piques your interest. Thank you!

SJI: Third Lagoon Beach, 10:00am to 12:00pm
Meet at the Third Lagoon Preserve trailhead located at the end of Cattle Point Road to help clear plastic rubbish from the back of the lagoon.

SJI: Deadman Bay Preserve, 2:00pm to 4:00pm
Meet at Deadman Bay beach. Volunteers will tackle the drainage below the roadside where lots of debris collects throughout the year.

Lopez Island: Multiple Locations
Meet at Lopez Community Center between 9am-10 am to register* and choose from 11 beaches and 9 road side areas that need your help, including Weeks Wetland at Fisherman Bay Preserves.

*There will be a complimentary yoga class from 8am-8:45 am preceding the registration!

Sturdy rubber boots, pants, and gloves are recommended. Carpooling is encouraged. The Land Bank will provide garbage bags, buckets, and some snacks.

Orcas Island: Multiple Locations
Please show up to the closest meeting spot at 10am. Our goal is to pick up as much litter and recyclables as possible and bring them back to the Village Green before 1pm. We will clean as many roadsides and beaches as we can get to!

“The Lopez Community Trails Network (LCTN) is again scheduling a series of hikes open to the public under the title “Go Take a Hike.” Our hike schedule, under the direction of Bob Walker, includes a variety of destinations on- and off-island, including easy beach walks to more strenuous mountain hikes. These monthly hikes are held on Saturdays. Hikes are at a leisurely pace to encourage exploration and to experience the wonders of nature.

“Sign up is by phone or e-mail with the hike leader. There is no expense except the sharing of transportation costs when we go off island. Please call Bob Walker (468-3397) with any questions about any details.”

The first hike is this Saturday, April 11th at 8am: Bird Walk with Bob Myhr. A San Juan Islands Audubon Society (jointly sponsored by the LCTN) field trip starting at Otis Perkins Park and walking to the Land Bank Peninsula Preserve.

Pick up a brochure for the full schedule of hikes at the Lopez BLM office, the Lopez Library, or the Chamber of Commerce office. Or view the full schedule of hikes on the LCTN’s website: Go Take a Hike.

The autumn rains are priming those forest jewels to pop up for our 2014 Mushroom Walk on Lopez Hill, led by Madrona Murphy from Kwiaht. At 3:00 pm on Sunday, October 19th we will set off from the parking area off Lopez Sound Road (directions here). This walk will be shorter than last year and the number of people will be limited so that everyone can see and hear. Please sign up by emailing Tim Clark at timc@rockisland.com. Wear appropriate clothing and shoes for walking in the weather, along with books, cameras, maps and questions. Please try to car-pool from the school, since parking is limited. See you there!

Partner organizations that are making this day possible include: Bureau of Land Management-San Juan Islands National Monument, San Juan County Land Bank, San Juan Preservation Trust, Lopez Island Conservation Corps, Kwiaht, Cascadia Kayaks, Whispers of Nature Herbs, Lopez Community Trails Network, Leave No Trace, National Parks Service, and San Juan Island Conservation Corps.